On December 5, we will light the Candle of Peace as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, who is called the “Prince of Peace.” Please consider coming to church a bit earlier during the season, as attendance is often higher this time of the year, especially if you want to sit in a particular area. Keep in mind that during the pandemic, we have limited capacity in the sanctuary and once the space fills up you will be directed to either Moore Hall, where you can watch the service on a large T.V. screen, or the patio.
We ask everyone to be seated when the worship service begins and remain in their seats until the service is over.
Thank you for your patience and commitment to safety during the pandemic.
The Committee for the Assurance of Pandemic Safety (CAPS) will be keeping an eye on the new omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. In the meantime, please follow Kahu’s example and stay home if you are feeling sick, especially if you have any coronavirus symptoms. Thanks for your patience and for following our guidelines during the pandemic! Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions about our health and safety during the pandemic.
Please do not hesitate to contact the church office if you have questions, concerns or need clarification on any matters regarding pandemic safety.
Annual Holiday Outreach
Thanksgiving Food Boxes & Christmas Stockings
Thanksgiving Food Boxes: The Outreach Team sends a huge mahalo to everyone who donated the our annual Thanksgiving Share Aloha. They delivered meals to 11 local families. The church keiki helped fill the boxes. All the recipient families were so grateful!
Christmas Stockings: December 5 is the deadline for donations. We will be delivering stockings with gift cards to local families early in December. All donations are greatly appreciated!We pay for this outreach through the change jar, to which people contribute throughout the year, and from personal donations. So be sure to look for spare change lying around at home or in your car. If you are able, please consider a monetary donation.
LECTIO DIVINA
Wednesday, December 8, 7 p.m.
Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, intended to promote communion with God and to increase knowledge of God’s word. It does not treat scripture as texts to be studied, but as living word. As we gather in a small group, we allow a biblical passage to speak to us individually; after hearing the text read several times, there is an opportunity for participants to share their experience.
We will gather again for Lectio Divina, led by Karen Johnson, at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Location will be determined by the number of participants.
Please RSVP to the church office by Sunday, December 5, and you will be notified of the location for that week.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways. —Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for November 28 are Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36. Readings for December 5 are Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6.
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
Please contact the church office to RSVP by November 9.
Location to be determined by the size of the group.
Lectio Divina is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation, intended to promote communion with God and to increase knowledge of God’s Word. It does not treat scripture as texts to be studied, but as living word. As we gather in a small group, we allow a biblical passage to speak to us individually; after hearing the text read several times, there is an opportunity for participants to share their experience.
After a year and a half, we will gather again for Lectio Divina, led by Karen Johnson, our congregation’s “Prayer Leader.”
Everyone is welcome, those who are experienced in prayer and those who are brand new at it.
Church Office Closed on Thursday
The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, November 11
Annual Holiday Outreach
Thanksgiving Food Boxes
Christmas Stockings
We are ever mindful of the many families on the south shore who are less fortunate than many others. We will once again this year deliver boxes of Thanksgiving dinners and also Christmas stockings with presents and gift cards.
Important Dates to Remember:
November 14: Last day to bring in your food and cash donations for this year’s Thanksgiving outreach. Look for the sign-up sheets attached to the Share Aloha sandwich board on Sunday mornings.
November 21: Thanksgiving boxes to be delivered to local families and last day to donate cash for the Christmas stockings.
December 5: Christmas stockings (with gift cards) to be delivered to local families
We pay for this outreach through the change jar, to which people contribute throughout the year, and from personal donations. So be sure to look for spare change lying around at home or in your car. If you are able, please consider a monetary donation.
If you know of any families who could use some extra help during the upcoming holiday season, please pass along their name to the church office. Also let us know if you would like to help prepare Thanksgiving boxes and/or stockings.
Lectionary Readings
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways. —Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for All Saints Day (Nov. 1): Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelations 21:1-7; John 11:32-44. Readings for November 7: Ruth 3:1-4:17; Psalm 127; 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44. Readings for November 14: 1 Samuel 1:4-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8.
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
Classes will continue during the fall—normally on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Contact the church office or RoseTatiana for the schedule.
There will be no Ho`okipa Wellness Class on September 26!
Please register with RoseTatiana before attending:
“It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”
Prayers and Squares is a ministry promoting prayer using hand-tied quilts. The beautiful quilts are offered to people in crisis to remind them that the people of Koloa Union Church are praying for them. The group meets each month on a Tuesday of from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the church office for date and location.
Everyone is welcome, whether you sew or not.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways. —Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for August 29 are Psalm 45:1-9; Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Psalm 15; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-23.
Readings for September 5 are Proverbs 22:1-23; Psalm 125; Isaiah 35:4-8; Psalm 146; James 2:1-17; Mark 7:24-37.
Readings for September 12 are Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 19; Isaiah 50:4-10; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38.
Readings for September 19 are Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13-4:9; Mark 9:30-37.
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
Koloa Union Church was once again acknowledged for generosity to the mission of the Hawaii Conference (UCC) and the United Church of Christ denomination. These certificates remind us that we not only make a huge difference on Kauai in terms of mission and outreach, but also a HUMONGOUS difference in the islands and throughout the world as we join other churches in the Hawaii Conference and the United Church of Christ in our mission giving.
On Sunday, July 25, Kahu Akana thanked the members and friends of the congregation for their generosity and also our Stewardship Chair, Bill Dressel, for an outstanding job of informing the congregation of opportunities, as well as stories of how we make a difference together.
Summer Book Group
Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. “Daring Greatly”
Vulnerability to show up and be seen as you are can take a lot of courage. Being an individual or a community that makes it easy for people to do that takes intention and commitment. Brené Brown is a sociologist who studies vulnerability in individuals, organizations, communities, and culture. Kahu will lead the group discussion on this book which he describes as “one of the most helpful and most needed books I’ve read in years.”
We would like to know how many people to expect each week. Please place your name on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board next to the church office or else contact Penny to RSVP.
The book group will meet in the church sanctuary on the following Wednesdays: -July 28: Chapter 3 -August 4: Chapter 4 -August18: Chapter 5 -August 25: Chapter 6 & 7
All of the Sunday morning pandemic guidelines apply. Please arrive with your face mask.
Ho`okipa Wellness Class
A Free Exercise/Stretching Class for Seniors
Led by RoseTatiana Warken Ceballos
Classes will continue during the summer—normally on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Contact the church office or RoseTatiana for the schedule.
Please register with RoseTatiana before attending:call or text (808)652-8985 or email [email protected]
Prayers and Squares
Monthly on a Tuesday
“It’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”
Prayers and Squares is a ministry promoting prayer using hand-tied quilts. The beautiful quilts are offered to people in crisis to remind them that the people of Koloa Union Church are praying for them. The group meets each month on a Tuesday of from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the church office for date and location.
Everyone is welcome, whether you sew or not.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways. —Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for July 25:2 Samuel 1:1-15; Psalm 14; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21.
Readings for August 1: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:14; Psalm 51:1-12; Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
On Sunday, Kahu Akana will share with us about the remarkable experience of Mary Magdalene on Easter morning and the deep love for Jesus that she experienced.
We normally have plenty of room for attendees to sit in a safe distance from others in the sanctuary, on the patio, and in Moore Hall where folks can watch the worship service on a large screen. However, please come early on Easter if you want a decent seat!
Please put your face mask on as soon as you arrive on church property and be sure to familiarize yourself with all of our pandemic guidelines (listed on our homepage).
NOTE: In commemoration of Easter, the church office will be closed on Monday, April 5.
Easter Sunday Is
Aloha Wear Day
Just for fun and in keeping with the spirit of the islands, the Church Council has designated the first Sunday of each monthAloha Wear Day. Of course, it is totally optional, but everyone who wants to especially participate in the spirit of aloha is invited to wear your colorful aloha shirt, muumuu or other clothing to church.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
“Let Love Flow”
Easter Sunday, April 4
One Great Hour of Sharing special mission offering will be collected on April 4 (or on line anytime!) to support this timeless mission of the United Church of Christ. We have all been asked to support so many worthy causes this past year, and thanks to you so much has been addressed! As we know, there are still needs—whether it be the impact from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the recent floods across the islands and so much more. “Let Love Flow” as the theme for OGHS clearly describes how we impact so many needs with our support for this mission that does indeed come from our hearts.
The One Great Hour of Sharing offering will be collected in church on Easter Sunday, April 4. As always, OGHS envelopes will be provided in bulletins. You may also give online by clicking the link below or send a check to the church P.O. Box at any time. (Be sure to write “One Great Hour of Sharing ” or “OGHS” in the Comment box online or in note section of the check.)
The 2021 OGHS theme is “Let Love Flow” or as I imagine Kahu saying, “Let love flow through generous giving.”
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for March 28 are Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-16.
Readings for April 4 are Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18; Mark 16:1-8.
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
On Sunday, Kahu will be sharing about the story of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Mark, especially focusing on Jesus’ identity and his mission to share God’s love with the world, and how that pertains to followers of Jesus today.
We have plenty of room for attendees to sit in a safe distance from others in the sanctuary, on the patio, and in Moore Hall where folks can watch the worship service on a large screen.
Please put your face mask on as soon as you arrive on church property and be sure to familiarize yourself with all of our pandemic guidelines, which are included on our homepage.
ADOPT A FAMILY
January and February Project
Koloa Union Church has adopted a family who is temporarily homeless on the island: a single mom and her 1-year-old son. They have lost their housing since the pandemic and found themselves living in a tent. They are on “the list” for housing assistance and need help to just get by while they wait. In the meantime, they are in urgent need of some shelter reinforcement to help with the rain and wind, as well as some covered area that can function as extended living space for the boy to play. Please consider monetary donations to go toward purchasing basic needs or else contact the church office if there is something in particular you would like to donate. (We have a list of specific needs.)
Donations are requested by Feb 21st.
Mahalo to everyone for your continued support!
The church office will be closed on
Monday, February 15,
in observance of
Presidents’ Day.
HENRY OPUKAHAIA OFFERING
Sunday, February 21
Each year we collect a special offering in memory of Henry Opukahaia, the first NativeHawaiian known to become a Christian. Henry O. is credited with motivating the early New England missionaries to sail to Hawaii. The money collected supports the training of current and future clergy for Christian ministry by providing financial aid for students.
Please consider a generous donation on February 21st.Offering envelopes will be available on that day.
Write checks to “Koloa Union Church”and write “Henry O.” in the note section.
THE SEASON OF LENT
“Look for the Signs” February 21 is the First Sunday in Lent
Lent is a time for personal reflection, beginning on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and ending at midnight on Easter Eve (April 3). The purpose is to prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday through prayer, worship, personal reflection, and sometimes fasting.
Kahu has chosen as the theme for Lent this year “Look for the Signs.” On the six Sundays of Lent, the Revised Common Lectionary will lead us through various signs that point to God and important messages that God has for us, beginning with the sign of the rainbow (from Genesis chapter 9) on February 21.
LECTIONARY READINGS
Weekly Readings from the Bible
During challenging times, reading the Bible on a daily basis is a great source of inspiration and hope. I encourage you to read and meditate upon the Scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary and ask yourself how God might be showing up in the Scriptures for you, what God might be saying to you, and what guidance you might find as you share God’s love in creative and meaningful ways.
—Kahu Alan Akana
Each week, Christians throughout the world read biblical passages from the Revised Common Lectionary, including the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels. After three years, a good portion of the Bible is included and the cycle begins again. RCL passages are often read in church worship services, and Kahu Akana usually includes at least one reading each Sunday.
Readings for February 7 are Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-21; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39.
Readings for February 14 are 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9.
Readings for February 21 are Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15.
______________________________
“News of the Church” is provided by Koloa Union Church, an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), a member of the Kauai Association and Hawaii Conference. Please contact the church office if you would like to have our news sent directly to your inbox. Join us at 3289 Poipu Road in Koloa!
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